With the start of the 2011 baseball season less than a month away, the No. 25 Auburn Tigers look to build on last year's success after winning its first division title in 15 seasons.
Auburn finished the 2010 season with a 43-20 record and one of the nation's most dynamic offenses.
For the first time in school history, the Tigers led the nation with 131 home runs, an average of 2.05 home runs per game and a .591 slugging percentage.
The Tigers also had a school record of 11 players drafted, tying UCLA for a 2010 Major League Baseball Draft high.
"We lost a lot of players," said third year head coach John Pawlowski. "We had the most players drafted in the country, so we have to regroup. From a pitching stand point, you lose guys like Grant Dayton and Austin Hubbard.
"So we're going to have to do a good job replacing those guys, but I'm excited about the experience we have coming back."
Because of safety reasons, the NCAA has decided to tone down the bats so they do not have as much carry on the ball, making them more similar to wooden bats.
Because of these changes, Pawlowski said he believes home runs will be harder to come by, and they will have to be consistent in manufacturing runs and playing the short game.
"I think the game is going to be played at a quicker rate because I don't think offenses across the country will be as prolific as they have been over the last several years," Pawlowski said. "The identity we have to take on and continue to take on is the way we manufacture runs."
Pawlowski said the program expects to see several recruits visit campus this weekend, as the University plans to celebrate the Tigers' 2010 National Football Championship.
"When you go out and win a national championship in football, people look at your school in a different light," Pawlowski said. "There seems to be a lot of attention on the program, which is good. This weekend will be a great weekend to be in town. It's a great venue and a great opportunity to do some recruiting."
The Tigers will have 33 home games in 2011, including conference games against Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Alabama.
Auburn will start the season Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. against Arkansas State in the Auburn Classic.
"We're looking forward to the challenge," Pawlowski said. "The biggest challenge for us is the team aspect.
"When you have 17 new guys, you have to try and get them all going in the same direction and trying to mesh the personalities and different mind sets and trying to get these guys to perform.
"It'll be a great challenge, but hopefully, they will understand how we want them to play and how they have to play in order to be successful."
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
